Music And Lyrics

For many film reviewers, critics and aficionados, a perfect world would not include films like Music and Lyrics. Bubbly, lightweight romantic comedies are deeply unfashionable for some of these folks and I’m sure if most of them had their way such films would not exist.

Thank goodness they don’t and we aren’t forced to live in that sort of world!

As much as I love gritty, tough and uncomfortable cinema, I also believe there is a place for the fun, disposable, laugh-your-cares-away type of movie. Music and Lyrics is one of these, not one of the best, but not one of the worst either.

If, like me, you happen to be old enough to not only remember the pop music of the 80s (especially British Pop), but to have been shaped and influenced by it, then Music and Lyrics will give you plenty to laugh at and enjoy. Hugh Grant plays the Simon Le Bon/Andrew Ridgeley amalgam Alex Fletcher with real enthusiasm and Drew Barrymore is entertaining (if annoyingly earnest) as Sophie Fischer, Fletcher’s plant lady/songwriting partner/love interest. But for me the scene stealer was Jason Antoon as the cynical songwriter Greg Antonsky (though I was probably the only one in the cinema laughing at his moments).

The plot does feel forced and contrived at times. The minor characters are really weakly drawn, the win-the-girl-with-the-perfect-song concert ending doesn’t quite cut it and the drama that is meant to arise through the “creative tension” at the heart of the story is far from compelling.

Perhaps this film could have given us a deeper look into the songwriting process, into the harsher realities of the music business and a more telling reflection on the fleeting nature of fame. But in order to that it would have had to be an entirely different film and to be honest, have adopted a different genre.

But, just because a candy bar doesn’t fulfill the role of a healthy meal doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed for the candy it is.

[tags] Music and Lyrics [/tags]